The world, and the way we relate to it, has changed very quickly. Over the past month, my personal plans have shifted. Some creative projects have taken a back seat, others have been postponed indefinitely. My professional goals for the year are being reset. February seems like a long time ago. Making art feels both frivolous, and like the only thing that actually matters.

These days I am feeling very grateful ― grateful for my health and the health of my loved ones, grateful for the ability to work from home and for the beautiful weather outside as I write this from my porch.

It can be unnerving to face the unknown, not knowing what is going to happen over the coming weeks or months. But there is something freeing about relaxing into that uncertainty. None of us really ever know what is around the bend. This quarantine has forced me to take things one day at a time, to slow down. Life is simpler, and I have found a surprising amount of joy in this scaled back routine.

"Things falling apart is a kind of testing and also a kind of healing. We think that the point is to pass the test or to overcome the problem, but the truth is that things don’t really get solved. They come together and they fall apart. Then they come together again and fall apart again. It’s just like that. The healing comes from letting there be room for all of this to happen: room for grief, for relief, for misery, for joy.”

― Pema Chödrön, When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times

I know this is a scary time for many people. I hope amidst the chaos you are able to find space to breathe, to be outside, to be kind to yourselves and your loved ones as we all navigate this situation together.

xx

February may be the shortest month of the year but these past few weeks have been packed to the brim.

Earlier this month I flew to Philadelphia for the opening of TUFT, a group show at GROUP PROJECTS PHL that was curated by Tim Eads. It was such a thrill to see my coat Six of Hearts displayed in a gallery alongside a variety of talented punch and tufting artists! Tim and I first connected back in September when he was in Los Angeles teaching a workshop, and it was great to reconnect, and spend time getting to know a handful of the other artists involved in the show. Meeting people from my online world in real life has led to some truly wonderful connections. I'm grateful for the opportunity to travel, and every chance I get to meet people face to face.

During my time in Philly, I stopped by the Philadelphia Art Museum to see the show Off the Wall: American Art to Wear and I was blown away. Most exhibits I've seen on wearable art are relatively limited in scope, but this show was comprehensive and inspiring. It celebrated the mixed media artists who pioneered the wearable art movement in the 60's and 70's, and helped me better contextualize my own work in relation to these movements. I am hopeful that exhibitions like this will continue to shed light on art forms (like fiber art) that have historically been excluded from the fine art world.

Back in Los Angeles, I attended Superfine art fair as well as Frieze. Superfine was underwhelming, but Frieze was an invigorating display of contemporary art from the beautiful to the absurd, and the tent at the Paramount lot was filled with an elegant, fashionable art crowd that made me feel like I was back in New York City. That same weekend I went to Kathleen Ryan's show Bad Fruit at Francois Ghebaly, delighted for the opportunity to see her work in person. I don't remember how I first stumbled upon her intricate sculptures, but it captivated me immediately! I was thrilled to be able to attend her opening. At Vielmetter later that evening, for the opening of Karl Haendel's Double Dominant, I was pleasantly surprised to learn there was a dinner hosted by the artist after the show. A long table had been set up in the gallery space, and the attendees — other artists, collectors and friends of Susanne and Karl — all gathered around to enjoy a meal. What a fantastic experience.

Needless to say, it's been an inspirational month.

As I look towards March, I'm ready to dive into some new personal projects. I recently completed a commissioned art piece for a friend of mine and it sparked a wealth of new ideas. I have plans for new accessories, and have been exploring a collection that encompasses a range of art and design. Some of my personal work has been put on hold in recent weeks as the majority of my time has been focused on three exciting partnerships that I can't quite share yet... it's hard to be patient, but reassuring to know there is so much on the horizon!

Uncharted Territory

A short month, full of inspiration